Fan assembly
AssigneeGreenheck Fan Corporation
InventorsNathan D. Fetting, Scott S. Kurszewski, Joe A. Knoedler, Todd J. Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fan assembly in which all of the major structural components of the assembly are mechanically fastened together by non-welding means, such as mechanical fasteners, is disclosed. The disclosure also relates to a fan assembly in which the major structural components have planar segments separated by bend lines that approximate a curved shape, and that can be formed, for example, by a press brake machine. Such a construction can eliminate the necessity for rolling, welding, and painting of the structural components of the fan assembly.
Claims22
A fan assembly comprising:
- (a) an outer chamber with a plurality of adjoining planar sidewall segments, wherein each planar sidewall forms an obtuse angle with the adjoining sidewall segments to form a tubular structure having a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape having at least five sides, the outer chamber defining a longitudinal axis extending between a first open end and an opposite second open end, wherein the outer chamber is formed by a first section and a second section mechanically fastened to the first section;
- and
- (b) a rotatable fan assembly disposed within the outer chamber, the rotatable fan assembly being configured to move an airflow stream through the outer chamber from the first open end to the second open end.
A fan assembly comprising:
- (a) an outer chamber having a plurality of adjoining planar sidewall segments, wherein each planar sidewall forms an obtuse angle with the adjoining sidewall segments to form a tubular structure with a generally polygonal cross-sectional shape having at least five sides, the outer chamber defining a longitudinal axis extending between a first open end and an opposite second open end, wherein the outer chamber is formed by a plurality of mechanically fastened first sections;
- (b) an inner chamber having a second plurality of planar sidewall segments that together form a tubular structure with a cross-sectional polygonal shape, the inner chamber being disposed within the outer chamber and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the inner chamber is formed by a plurality of mechanically fastened second sections;
- (c) a plurality of turning vanes located between the inner chamber and the outer chamber;
- (d) a rotatable fan assembly disposed within the outer chamber, the rotatable fan assembly being configured to move an airflow stream through the outer chamber from the first open end to the second open end.
A mixed-flow type fan assembly comprising:
- (a) an outer chamber having a first section connected to a second section with mechanical fasteners to form a tubular structure having a polygonal shape defined by at least five sides;
- (b) an inner chamber having a first section connected to a second section with mechanical fasteners to form a tubular structure having a polygonal shape defined by at least five sides;
- (c) a plurality of turning vanes located between the inner and outer chambers, the plurality of turning vanes being connected to one of the inner and outer chambers by mechanical fasteners;
- and
- (d) a fan assembly disposed within the outer chamber, the fan assembly including a mixed-flow type fan rotor configured to move an airflow stream through an annular space defined between the inner and outer chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.